A Theriot man was was arrested and two Dulac men were cited after they allegedly harvested thousands of oysters from Terrebonne Parish waters that had been closed due to fecal bacterial contamination.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents booked Abelardo Carbajal, 60, with taking an estimated 4,000 oysters from polluted waters, taking oysters during illegal hours, and for violating oyster harvesting logbook requirements. Agents also cited Carbajal’s deckhands, Starlin Billiot, Jr., 30, and Kerry Lodrigue, Jr., 34, both of Dulac, for the same violations.
Agents say they witnessed the men harvesting oysters in Four League Bay on Feb. 20 at around 6 a.m. The area had been closed by state health officials due to high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. The cause is unclear, but common fecal bacteria sources include human and livestock feces and farm fertilizers.
Several hundred acres of the Louisiana coast are typically closed at any given time due to fecal pollution.
Agents said they seized 50 sacks of oysters and returned them to the water.
During the investigation, agents learned the required oyster harvesting logbook was not properly filled out. Agents seized seized Carbajal’s boat, global positioning unit, harvester’s license and various tools.
Carbajal was booked at the Terrebonne Parish Jail. Taking oysters from a polluted area carries a fine of up to $950 and 120 days in jail. Taking oysters during illegal hours carries similar penalties.
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